Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
1972
Album Summary
Talking Book is the fifteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder, released on October 28, 1972, by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. This album and Music of My Mind, released earlier the same year, are generally considered to mark the start of Wonder's "classic period". The sound of the album is sharply defined by Wonder's use of keyboards and synthesizers. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard Top LPs chart and finished at number three on Billboard's year-end chart for 1973. "Superstition" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts, and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" hit number one on the Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts. Talking Book earned Wonder his first Grammy Award, with "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" winning Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 16th Grammy Awards; "Superstition" also won Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. Often included in lists of the greatest albums of all time, Talking Book was voted number 322 in the third edition of Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums (2000), and Rolling Stone ranked it number 59 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
WikipediaLovely relaxed vocals but the lyrics are too sickly sweet for my tastes and a bit repetitive. Superstition is amazing. Stevie Wonder's real name is Stevland Morris. 3/5
I went down the rabbit hole with Stevie Wonder after listening to this.... he has so many more catchy hits than I realized, many that have been covered so many times..... my favorite will always be 'Don't you worry 'bout a thing' but my newest discovery rivals my favorite - - 'Pastime paradise'; I'd never listened to the original, only the cover - Gangster's paradise
IMO Stevie is at his best when he does the funky soul numbers. Superstition is one of his most iconic songs, with killer guitar hooks and I love his funky snarling voice. But this album is marred by syrupy maudlin commercial tracks meant to sell records such as You are the sunshine, You and I, Looking for another pure love, and I believe. Yuck. If it had more Superstition it would be a 4 but the dreck pulls it down unfortunately
This is the album that has "Superstition" on it, the rest of the album is pretty forgettable electronic keyboard and sleepy soulless blabbering. Songs just boring and don't go anywhere, like an essay written to pad length.
For every bit of magic on this album, there's something a little powderpuff about much of the rest of the material. I know we are all supposed to consider Stevie Wonder a genius, but Innervisions aside I'm not sure he's ever hit that kind of consistency. The funk-soul equivalent to Iron Maiden, then; stellar moments and a hogshead of filler
One of my all time favourite songs on this album - Superstition. So was looking forward to this, but i am sorry this song couldnot carry the rest of the album. It mostly sounded like lounge music to me. 2 Stars
Arguably Stevie Wonder's best album, although I prefer "Innervisions" and "Songs in the Key of Life." Inarguably among one of the 1001 greatest albums of all time. "Maybe Your Baby" is an electro jam that feels contemporary in 2021. "Superstition" is an unskippable track for all people and all times.
This is an actual classic album. Stevie Wonder in his imperial period. It is hard to over-praise this record.
I love me some Stevie, and seeing him on this list will likely surprise no one. I think I actually own this record, but hadn't listened to it before today. I own and have listened to Songs in the Key of Life, and Hotter Than July, the latter of which I bought in a head shop in Macomb along with a book on how propaganda was making men's fashion more feminine (I threw away the book, still have the record). Anyway, based on my limited experience with his discography, Stevie's music is super consistent, and a joy. When I go back to hosting game nights again, I will be sure to dust off my copy of Talking Book. My personal enjoyment: 4/5 Did it belong on this list: 5/5
Undoubtedly a genius, sometimes his tracks are just too cheesy. However, when he wants to get funky then his squelching synths and cry baby bass is amazing. Best Tracks: Maybe Your Baby; Tuesday Heartbreak; Superstition
Typical Stevie Wonder album, Some of the best music ever and some of the most self indulgent crap on the same disk. Loved some of it but hated that I didn't love it all.
An album of two halves. The well known tracks are some of Stevie's best. The album tracks are a bit bland and dull, frankly. However, any record with a song as strong as I Believe can't be all bad, right? For me, Innervisions is a better record for the cohesion and clarity of purpose.
Superstition is an all time great song. Shame the rest of the album sounds nothing like it. Not bad, just gives you a glimpse of some of his best work for one song and the rest is mid.
Not a fan of soul/R&B and the cheesy schmaltz of the opening track ‘you are the sunshine of my life’ was a terrible start. Sorry Stevie, not for me
Absolutely outstanding and unique view of Stevie’s music. Not being super familiar with his work outside of any of the hits, this really helped me appreciate a bit more of the work that I guess was not considered as “commercial” at the time.
Fantastic!! Now we are getting somewhere. The keys, the funk, and Stevie's wonderful voice.
Own it, love it. Listened to Innervisions instead, because I don't own it (yet). Both are 5. Stevie is God.
Amazing album. It's so easy to overlook Stevie Wonder sometimes, but this album is always worth coming back to.
I'm familiar with some of his more famous songs because Stevie Wonder is, well, iconic to say the least but never actually listened to a full album by him. Lemme just say I'm kicking myself for missing out and this Aussie gives Talking Book five lamingtons out of five.
I've been busy so I had to go back to this one. Really loved it stevie wonder is great
This album is amazing! I can't believe how great Stevie Wonder's music is. What a genius. I can see all the influences he's had on musicians.
Precioso. R&B impregnado de funk con el sonido característico del Hohner Clavinet de Wonder. Tiene temazos.
Always love some Stevie! One of his best. Some favorites from the album included Maybe Your Baby, You've Got It Bad Girl, and Blame It On The Sun.
The album starts with calming chords and a soft groove. Then the groove heats up and stays strong. Each song has unique instruments and melodies that keep this a very interesting album all the way through.
Beautiful album. It’s like a love-child of funk and country but raised by classical. It’s soft and gentle but also thoughtful. Stevie Wonder has a perfect voice and he also has poignant lyrics. This album delivers pretty heavy stuff like love and heartbreak and rebirth and belief and faith but it’s done so lite and breezy. Stevie Wonder is a genius. Top tracks You are the sunshine of my life Big brother You and I Tuesday Heartbreak Iconic track Superstition
The two songs opening each side are excellent and very well known hits. For me, Superstition is his best song. Ray Parker will always be better known for his Ghostbusters song but his guitar on Maybe Your Baby is top shelf and really works well with the funkiness. Stevie delivers the electric piano and clavinet that makes Tuesday Heartbreak. I've never heard those instruments deliver a cool and funky vibe like this. Stevie's vocals on You and I might be his best on the LP. Jeff Beck's guitar on Looking for Another . . . is also quite good as one would expect from Jeff. I didn't know Stevie for his political songs. Big Brother is quite good and the words "You've killed all our Leaders" are particularly poignant given this album was made less than 5 years after Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were murdered. Different songs on this LP have very different features that make them soar. They are all good songs for very different reasons. An album that pulls this off meets my definition of a 5. As an afterthought, it's a great picture on the cover.
The best record of his career, and a monster of an album with chart hits and influential songs spilling out all over the place. I have always loved this record. I still do.
J'adore Stevie Wonder et cette album est merveilleux. Ça s'écoute très bien et superstition est une de mes préféré. 4.90
Absolutely brilliant. A masterpiece companion to Innervisions (all recorded pretty much in one go).
Magnificent. 'Maybe your baby' is pretty much the first part of Prince's career in 6:50...
Another incredible album by Stevie Wonder - probably my second favourite of his. Includes classics You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, You And I and Superstition.
STEVIE! I'll never understand how someone like Stevie Wonder can be overlooked, but here we are. Unfortunately it seems like the world won't show it's outpouring of appreciation for Stevie until he dies. He had an imperial period that ranks up there with the all-time greats and was as prolific as Prince. And that doesn't even take into consideration that, oh yeah, the dude is BLIND. Many point to "Superstition" being the signature, iconic track on this album and they're not wrong. But let's not sleep on the joy that is the opening track on this album. "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" is full of joy and elation that captures exactly how happy it is to be madly in love with someone. The song itself is a party, where Stevie captures the happiness he's found in the world all in two-minutes and 45 seconds. We shouldn't wait until we lose Stevie Wonder to thank him for the joy he's given us.
Another essential funky soul/pop LP from Stevie's classic period. Probably my 3rd favourite after Songs in the key of life (5*) and Innervisions (5*).
This album is amazing. It has so much range in melody, instrumentation, and topics/lyrics. It shows instrumental and production virtuosity on every track, and it holds together as an album for an end-to-end listen. If you can't appreciate it, I'd question your appreciation for music in general. Nothing like it to pick you up on a rough day, too.
Fantastic album. All the funk. All the musicianship you love about Stevie Wonder. And Superstitious remains one of the best songs, ever.
Oddly the poorest track imo is You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, but the rest of the album is just indubitably excellent. Superstition. What a track. What an album. What a man
Je suis un grand fan des albums de Stevie Wonder du début des années 70. Voyons celui-ci de plus près. 1. "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" incarne bien l'évolution de mon appréciation de Stevie Wonder. Alors que je n'aimais que les pièces funky et délaissais les balades qui m'apparaissaient plus sirupeuses, j'ai fini par tout embrasser dans un grand geste d'amour. Chanson délicieuse. 2. " Maybe Your Baby". Dès la première mesure, on accroche au mordant funky. Pendant les dernières mesures, on se demande quand ça va finir. Me paraît le maillon faible du disque à cause de sa structure en mode infini. 3. "Tuesday Heartbreak". On a envie de bouger notre corps doucement et d'aimer tout le monde. La magie de Stevie Wonder opère. 4. "You've Got It Bad Girl". Explorations dans tous les sens, tout en maintenant un cadre pop. La mélodie est accrocheuse malgré ses anomalies, les textures sonores vont dans plusieurs directions. Selon notre humeur, on pourrait juger que c'est trop sur ce dernier plan ou adorer le voyage. 5. "Superstition". Rien à ajouter sur ce formidable morceau dont les arrangements sont parfaitement équilibrés, l'interprétation vocale d'une justesse ahurissante. Cette chanson me fait toujours réagir avec la même ferveur. 6. "Big Brother". Malgré la progression harmonique toute simple, Wonder, réussit à surprendre avec des arrangements qui ouvrent une nouvelle porte par rapport à ce qu'on avait entendu plus tôt sur l'album :accents folks (est-ce un fingerpicking? eh non, c'est le magicien aux claviers). L'harmonica nous rappelle que Stevie en est un maître. Le message social est davantage mis de l'avant : Stevie n'est pas que musique, il est aussi conscience. 7. "Blame It On The Sun". Le Stevie sirupeux nous met au défi ici. Il suffit de plonger dans l'amour et la volupté pour apprécier. On se prend à regretter que l'amoureuse soit trop loin pour lui dire à quel point on l'aime. 8. "Lookin' For Another Pure Love" et 9. "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)". Le génie mélodique de Stevie Wonder nous prend d'un autre angle avec ces chansons. La guitare de Jeff Beck apporte une belle fraîcheur. Le tout, méditatif voire planant, ne peut qu'évoquer un lit défait, des corps nus... L'outro de "I Believe" montre qu'on peut utiliser la répétition à bon escient dans la finale d'une chanson, ce que "Maybe Your Baby" avait raté. Pas le meilleur de Stevie Wonder de cette époque, cependant cette écoute attentive n'a réussi qu'à me le faire encore plus apprécier, malgré ses quelques excès.
This album is chock-full of standouts. "Superstition", "Big Brother","Maybe Your Baby", "You've Got it Bad Girl" and "I Belive" easily push this album into 5 star territory for me.
I can't be unbiased about this. Stevie's my favorite. I remember holding this vinyl as a kid. The 70s synths feel like spending a sunny day on another planet to me. Favorite tracks are Superstition, Blame It On The Sun, and I Believe.
+You Are the Sunshine of My Life, Maybe Your Baby, Tuesday Heartbreak, Superstition, I Believe -You and I But who knew the "I Just Called (to say I Love You" guy could also bring the funk and bring it hard? Maybe Your Baby goes hard with some seriously filthy-funky bass that you just can't help to bob your head to, and a few "ee-hees" years before Michael made it his trademark; this track clocks in at just under 7 minutes and is a party the whole way through. Tracks like You've Got It Bad Girl and Blame It On The Sun provide some welcome breathing room giving us some buttery-smooth, soulful R&B, frosted with Stevie's crooning. Big Brother takes a folksy turn and pulls it off fantastically, you'd almost think it was Paul Simon. The show concludes as strong as it starts with I Believe, which is a journey of itself asking us the question "Doncha wanna fall in love?"...I already have, Stevie! The only track I didn't fully enjoy was You and I, and it's really just a showcase of Stevie's prowess on the keys (which is top-notch here), but the song itself I could take or leave.
To be honest, I wasn't expecting to be a huge fan of this based on the overplayed "Superstition" and "You Are The Sunshine of my Life," but it really is an incredible album, flowing between moods and genres with ease. It sounds great and his voice is terrific.
It's almost effortless- so smooth. He really is one of the greatest. Just listening to Stevie makes the world a slightly less bad place. Of course there's the big hits but with repeated plays other songs come out of the woodwork. 'Lookin' for another pure love' is a case in point. There's an intricate balance going on all through this album- the singing, rhythm and the beat with the instruments all together. It's not that immediately apparent in my view.
The good songs are so good (You are the Sunshine of my Life, Maybe Your Baby, I Believe) that I feel like the songs I don't like as well (You've Got It Bad Girl, Lookin' For Another Pure Love) are my fault, not because the songs aren't good. I saw another review that referred to Superstition as overplayed, an idea that startled me. I've always considered Superstition to be a pinnacle of musical achievement, like Bach's Little Fugue in G Minor. Evergreen and always welcome in my stream.
You Are The Sunshine já começa tão gostosa. Superstition um clássico. Várias músicas para revisitar
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: You are the sunshine of my life, Tuesday heartbreak, Superstition, I believe
1972 was the year that Stevie Wonder flexed his artistic muscles and began to produce his music, his way. While sometimes left behind in the classic run of releases that started with Innervisions, Talking Book is a stone cold classic. Great tunes, great arrangements and Jeff Beck.
The randomizer seems to be telling me to listen to more Stevie Wonder as this is my third Stevie album. That is a good thing. "Talking Book" is the 15th studio album for Stevie Wonder and along with the previous album " Music of My Mind" starts his so-called Wonder classic period. He was given more freedom from Motown and Barry Gordy and this period transitioned him from youthful prodigy to an independent and expert artist. The politics of the time and recent work by Isaac Hayes, Sly Stone and Marvin Gaye were also influences. Speaking of other musicians, this album has appearances by Jeff Beck, Ray Parker Jr., David Sanborn and Buzz Feiten. One of the highlights of the Stevie Wonder albums I have listened to is the mixture of ballads, softer-jazzy songs, pop songs and funk. This album has all that. Another highlight is his use of the T.O.N.T.O synthesizer which was able to create the sound of multiple instruments. The flow of the album seems to be from a happy relationship to looking for another love as he was or was soon to be divorced. But, there are some more political and non-relationship-based songs in the middle. This album has three of my more favorite Stevie songs. The album starts with the happy love song "You are the Sunshine of My Life." Great backing vocals and congos. Stevie wrote with Jeff Beck "Superstition" while Stevie was playing keyboards and Jeff Beck drums. Just about as bad-ass a funky groove ever.....ever. Stevie's use of the Clarinet Model C. Trumpet and tenor sax come in. Describing popular superstitions and their negative effect. And the album ends on a positive relationship note with "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever). Just a tremendous and uplifting song with a fantastic chorus. Jeff Beck and Buzz Feiten are on guitars and Stevie's kicking it on the drums. I give up trying to pick among this album, "Innervisions" and "Songs In The Key Of Life" as to his best. They're all worth listening to and owning. I believe I have one more Stevie Wonder album in "Fulfillingness' First Finale" in this album challenge. I'm pretty sure I'll like that quite a bit to (I have listen to it but it's been awhile).
It's crazy that this is his 15th (!) album, but he's only at the start of his "classic period" albums. Well, that period is aptly named. I only previously heard Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life and loved them both. This one is right up there with them. What a great album and what an amazing talent - even more amazing when you consider that except for some guitars and some backing vocals everything on the album is him. My favorite track is I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever). I first heard it on the High Fidelity soundtrack and later included it on my wedding celebration playlist. Such a beautiful song (and all him - I had no idea there were no other musicians on that track). I love how it builds until the song is just soaring, and then ends with a great funk jam (does it count as a jam when it's only one person? Maybe it does if it's Stevie Wonder). Superstition is a solid gold classic - the quintessential funky Clavinet track. If you don't at least bop your head when you hear it, you may be dead. You Are the Sunshine of My Life is a classic. Easy listening, sure, but beautiful. All the other tracks are good to great. Maybe Your Baby brings da funk. You and I is schmaltzy but still good (nice use of synths - You've Got it Bad Girl is another good synth track). I also enjoyed Tuesday Heartbreak, Big Brother, Blame It on the Sun, and Lookin' for Another Pure Love (nice guitars, courtesy of Jeff Beck). It's just a great album, and clearly a 5.
In the 1970s Stevie Wonder could do no wrong. He started getting widely recognized after his previous album Music of My Mind (released just seven months prior to this). This is his 16th album, and he was only 22 when it was released. Almost everything on here is played by him. To call him a genius would be an understatement. The opening track “You are the Sunshine of My Life” is a classic and great choice to open the album. It sets the vibe for what’s to come with its smooth production. “Maybe Your Baby” has a strong groove played on the Moog. The track creates a beautiful wall of sound with the use of synth and layered vocals and features Ray Parker Jr (Who else are you gonna call?) on electric guitar. The rest of side one is great but I’m skipping ahead to Superstition before this becomes a book. God Damn, what a song, and the entire track is just him on everything except for the horns! I always wondered what he came up with first for this song. Was it the opening drum part, or the clavinet melody? Whatever it is, he puts it all together to make a timeless classic. The rest of the tracks on this side flows nicely into each other and the album ends with another classic, “I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever).” A perfect album from Stevie.
Damn Stevie. Only 22 years old and this is his 15th album? What a talent. You are the Sunshine of My Life is a great softy - never feels sappy after all this time. Ditto for You and I (love it's soaring feel at the end). Maybe Your Baby is a great funky song - hidden treasure on this album. But it shows the two sides of this album - he goes back and forth from soft and beautiful to upbeat and funky with ease. I can't believe how much sound there is on the funky songs that is pretty much just Stevie. A master in a class all his own. Do I even need to say anything about Superstition? What a beauty. If you don't adore that song you are not human. I Believe When I Fall in Love... doesn't get as much fanfare as some other Stevie Wonder tunes but it is superb and nicely bookends side two (strangely, because my dad is a Garfunkel fan I know his version more). Blame it on the Sun is an even lesser known track that should not go unnoticed (beautiful). Love this album.
Perfect! Even if hated the rest of the album I would still give this 5 stars for the last track
Overall pretty great album, really creative and beautiful melodies throughout. You and I and Superstition were the highlights of this album.
I enjoyed listening to this album because Stevie Wonder is one of the musical greats. Superstition is a classic and I liked the jazzy tone of the rest of the album. Overall a well written and performed album.
Automatic 4 because of Superstition. The rest is hit or miss. Best track: Superstition
Stevie Wonder’s music can’t help but put a smile on my face. My favourites of his tracks aren’t on this album - but still a banger
Like I said oreviously it's hard to dislike Stevie Wonder. This album was better than the previous one. More concise and had a better structure. I liked it.
Was surprised that I knew a few songs. Some songs didn't like the songs but liked the lyrics.
First of all very cool stereo effects on the opening track. And a duet! Very psychedelic vibes on this track and the next. The last few minutes of Maybe Your Baby, with the guitar and bass combo, and the repetition of maybe your baby gonna make some other plans” is mesmerizing. On You and I, it’s so plain to see how amazing and insanely powerful Stevie Wonder’s voice is. Big Brother dresses a powerful indictment of the US government’s relationship to black people in bright-sounding melody and light, upbeat drums and... melodica? harmonica? Superstition is of course the famous one from this album, but Sir Duke is a mf BOP in equal, if not greater measure
I’m not going to be able to compete with Alex’s review here and his stellar use of “hogshead”, so I’ll just add that I really like how there’s more than one song where they just lock into the chorus and repeat it over and over and over and it never gets old. But yeah, bit of a mixed bag where the good is so good it makes you forget the forgettable.
This album is liquid sexuality. Every other song a hit, and the ones that aren't hits should have been. Big Brother is a standout favorite.
Superstitious enough to give this delightfully funky bunch of tunes lucky number 7. 7/10
I didn't know how much I could like Steve Wonder songs... It a great album with a lot of innovations and very pleasable songs. Much better than his most famous tracks, this album is very good
First of an indispensable array of albums. Not the best of the lot but a truly great r&b/soul effort, with some unforgettable tunes
Pari kovaa hittiä ja muuten taattua tavaraa. Kyllä tätä kuuntelee useamman kerran mielellään. Ei ehkä ihan vitonen, mutta neljä ja puoli.
What a beautiful day to listen to this album, relaxing, uplifting, throughly enjoyable.
When Stevie Wonder says, “...better wash your face and hands...” in Superstition, is he staying his belief that washing hands and face is superstitious and has no scientific value? There’s a lot of interesting stuff happening on this album, the reverb is all over the place in some songs, bouncing around my head, some great funky keyboard, some Mort Gorson Plantasia esque instrumentals and modulated voice experiments. Stevie Wonder’s singing and vocals don’t really resonate with me snd I found myself wondering if this was instrumental or if he produced it for another singer if I would’ve enjoyed it more. Some of the songs slap and are super funky, others have some great licks and hooks. “Looking for Another Love” and “I believe when I fall in love” are transcendent instrumentally buy the singing and lyrics are just meh. Though it didn’t resonate with me I really respect the effort, it would be a 5 if I liked his voice/lyrics more. But I’ll give it an A-.
After a string of rock albums, this was refreshing, and pure joy. Front to back not a dud on the record. Stevie writes these incredible chord progressions that are beautiful, complicated, but sound simple. I think he was playing around with some interesting electronics and synthesizers on this one. along with whatever that e-clavichord thing is on Superstition. Interesting textures. I looked up the musicians who performed on this and was surprised to see it's mostly Stevie. Stevie on drums, Stevie on keys, Stevie playing keyboard bass. Stevie singing backup for Stevie. The last song, and I think one of his best, was all Stevie on all instruments. Wonder what Stevie thinks when he hears Dylan play the harmonica like he's blowing on a grilled cheese sandwich? One last thought that might be only interesting to me - I was really struck by a blind man singing "I can't wait to see your face inside my door". A
Amazing vocals, interesting song writing and nice grooves from start to finish. Will definitely be revisiting for another listen in the future.
Might even like this more than songs in the key of life - definitely a little easier listen given its relative shortness. He really just knows how to make music - Superstition is phenomenal Saved: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, Superstition
Album flows very well. All the themes are in the Stevie Wonder style - funky, about love. I didn't enjoy the slower ballad-like songs as much as bangers, such as Superstition, however in the context of the album, they worked very well.
I expected a lot of this album going into it, after all it is considered fairly legendary. I wasn’t disappointed necessarily, but it definitely didn’t live up to the hype. Overall, it was pretty average, save a couple songs like superstition. Because of that, regardless of it’s inability to live up to the hype, it was still a pretty good album. 3.5/5 so I’ll give it a 4.
A great listen and some incredible standouts. Needless to say, Superstition is incredible
His 15th studio album emanates a confidence and precision in his usual mix of soul, funk and jazz. You can tell from Wonder and the band are truly dialed in with years of experience. It's a delightful experience with one of the most iconic voices ever.
This album, along with his later Songs In The Key of Life, stands as a testament to the talent and vision of Stevie Wonder. After years under the watchful eye of Motown head Berry Gordy, Stevie began navigating his own way in Motown. And his way was a satisfying mix of classic R&B sounds updated with outstanding keyboard/synth playing, a dash of funk, and a couple of chill ballads. His subject matter dabbles in the political, while still appealing to the mainstream (and crossover) listeners of the day. The two hits, You Are the Sunshine of My Life, and Superstition, deserve all of their accolades, though they come from near-opposite ends of the Stevie spectrum. The dreamy keyboard intro and softly crooned opening lines of ...Sunshine might trick one into thinking it is no more than a sappy love song, but when the horns kick in, the drums snap, and Stevie lets loose with his voice, you know his message is deeply felt. Who wouldn't want this song sung to/about them? Superstition, on the other hand, hits hard, both musically and lyrically, but with the same signature passion. His clavinet playing pretty much defines the instrument, and again, the horns add a brassiness (yes, I KNOW!) that elevates the arrangement. Stevie's howling vocals project the pessimism that was growing among the civil rights issues of the day. The musicians are super-tight, with shining additions by guest David Sanborn on Tuesday Heartbreak, Jeff Beck on Lookin' for Another Pure Love, and Ray Parker, Jr. (of Ghostbusters fame!) ripping a great solo on Maybe Your Baby - a song that provides a rather direct-line influence to Stevie's R&B-flavored pop successor in the next decade, Prince. All in all, an enjoyable listen, with some VERY high points.
Admittedly, I’ve never listened to a Stevie Wonder album, I’ve only ever listened to an album of his hits which is easy to do because Stevie is incredible. I’m glad this was my first full Stevie Wonder album I enjoyed it much like the rest of his work. This album really gives me all kinds of vibes and feelings, perfect for a stroll around the block, dancing here in my house, or singing out loud Top tracks: you are the sunshine of my life, superstition, you and I, believe (when i fall in love it will be forever)
I'm a sucker for old Stevie Wonder albums. Talking Book is like a key to an era that I wasn't able to experience but would've loved it. This album just makes me smile. The key characteristic of this album is the Wah guitar, on and it's just a really cool sound like a 'brown-chicken-brown-cow' without the porn. It's a wonder this sound didn't dominate more albums back in the day. I think if it had, it'd be one of those minor annoyances like saxophones are. Anyway, the album... You are the Sunshine of My life opens the album and it's one of those perfect sappy guilty pleasure songs that I just can't get enough of (and makes me want to drink orange juice). The keyboard and congas on this are just lovely. Superstition is the break out hit, but there are some really good ones that are overlooked. Big Brother has got some understated grit with political undertones. Evidently SW played all the instruments on the recording. The song 'I Believe' is a great outro striking a hopeful reflective note that leads me back to the beginning of the album and hoping for an excellent follow up ... 'Songs in the Key of Life', I'm talking to you...
Stevie Wonder rapidly approaching peak status here - the heavy use and layering of synthesizers and played in large part only by Stevie himself give it a looseness that crosses between soul, funk, and rock. Virtually everyone on earth knows who Stevie Wonder is and is at least passably familiar with at least a few tracks so there's not much intro to the artist needed here - "Superstition" is one of the all-time classic songs and is the clear gateway-drug for this record. "Tuesday Heartbreak" makes me think of summer vacation driving with the top down. "I Believe" is a great album closer - end credits vibe on this one - just a simple and perfectly catchy chorus. Although it does suffer from what a number of the other songs have... ...if there's a knock - and there is - I do find a fair few of these songs to ... just not quite be *there* yet. As if they could have spent 3 more months in the writing room before release - "Maybe Your Baby" sounds fantastic and starts well with a great groove but it stagnates and is just far too long. Many of the others are slow and hard to latch onto - slow in and of itself connotes neither negative nor positive but slow and at times meandering gets dangerously close to boring. So the classic Stevie sound has been established here and rating aside...this is an excellent listen - nearly keeper status. But to me this is just his launching pad for Hall of Fame status which would come literally months later with Innervisions. 7/10 4 stars.
I really liked it overall it was a really good album however a lot of the songs started to become really repetitive and unnecessarily long which is why it’s not getting the highest rating however I did love the album
Sounds like something that could have came out in the 90s at least. Production is unique for the 1970s.
This is a musician! Guy can play. He can sing. He has a complete mastery from his appearance on the scene for what it is to be Stevie Wonder. While I know many other Stevie songs that I like more than some that are on this album, you can't deny his talent and ability to put together an album. The soul and funk is on full display in songs like Maybe Your Baby and Superstition, but also beautiful love songs that are catchy and understated are here like You and I and Sunshine of my Life.
Included superstition. Skipped a couple of tracks that were weird but overall I liked it.
Funky, soulfull album. Superstition is een top nummer. Album over de hele lijn wel oké
More interesting instrumentally than earlier Stevie Wonder, and the sons are, of course, great.
Gets a little same-y as it goes along, but you can't deny Stevie's musicianship and ingenuity. The synth work on this is wonderful.
Not what I expected. Very funky and cool. For some reason I thought it would be 80s pop music.
Classic 70s era funky sound. I get some Michael Jackson vibes, so Stevie may have been his influence. Classics Superstition and You are the Sunshine of my Life, but there are several other pleasing songs as well
Groovy and bittersweet, love it. Favorites: You Are The Sunshine Of MY Life, You And I, Superstition
Superstition is one of the best songs and you are the sunshine of my life is a classic but the rest of the album fell flat
On first listen this didn't grip me at all - was leaning towards 3 stars. A day later and a second listen and I liked it a lot more. Maybe I was in a mood? The slower more saccharine tunes I could do without, but overall a worthy listen. Fave track - I mean, c'mon, "Superstition" absolutely slaps! "Big Brother" was also great...
Truly a beautiful album, composed by one of the biggest talents in music, beautiful lyrics with music that is as groovy as it was when it came out, and touching with Wonder showing his emotional side that touches you deeply. Fav Tracks: You are the Sunshine of my Life, You and I, I Believe
Classic Stevie Wonder, though I would like a little more funk. The constant laid back nature gets just a little bit boring throughout the entire album. That being said, this does have "Superstition" on it, which almost completely makes up for that. Favorite Tracks: "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", "Maybe Your Baby", "You And I", "Tuesday Heartbreak", "You've Got It Bad Girl", "Superstition", "Big Brother", "Blame It On The Sun" 4.5/10